As unlikely pairing go, the thought of pop princess teaming up with veteran British music icon Sir Cliff Richard has got to one of the stranger collaborations.

After more than 50 years in the music business the record breaking Sir Cliff Richard is said to be teaming up with some hot new talent for his upcoming new album which is to be produced by Lamont Dozier of Motown fame.

Sir Cliff said: “I have tried to make some changes in the recent past, particularly since the record industry seems to have taken a nosedive, artists have to think of new things to present to the public.”

He added: “It's difficult being new when you have been singing for 52 years but you can be new by doing something that's off the wall. No one would have expected me to sing a bunch of soul songs with iconic soul singers but I'm going to try. I'm going to do my soul, they're going to do their soul and we should end up sounding soulicious.”

As one of the most successful artists in UK history Sir Cliff Richard is hoping to recreate some of his previous success with this latest offering and is due to tour Britain in October with the new album while a DVD of the making of the album is also in the pipeline as is a possible show in Las Vegas at the end of the year.

Lamont Dozier said: “We're very excited about it. I am knee deep in songs and preparing a lot of great things for Cliff, a lot of challenges, but I think he can weather the storm. He has a great voice.”

While the album is being hyped as a great return for Sir Cliff he has also muted that there could well be some surprises on the new album.

Sir Cliff said: “If we can finish this, I will have died and gone to heaven, it's a dream come true for me and don't be shocked if there is a rap or two on the record.”

The Peter Pan of pop also told BANG Showbiz: “I wouldn't mind singing with Lady Gaga but she can't wear any of those hats.”

He also added: “Adele and Leona Lewis are both incredible, fantastic voices but only time will tell. My gripe is that often with these really fine singers something goes wrong through no fault of their own and then they disappear. I hope Adele can hold her own because she sounds fantastic.”